Adjustable fracture frame



M m, 1933. D MCBHDE 1,917,661

ADJUSTABLE FRACTURE FRAME Filed Sept. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l Juily H, 1933:

E. D. M BRIDE ADJUSTABLE FRAGTURE FRAME Filed Sap t. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 11, 1933.

E. D. M BRIDE ADJUSTABLE FRACTURE FRAME Filed Sept. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

I I I l l I I I l l l u/% ll lllr slll T I ll Ill! 1 @iz B Y y '1933- E. D. M BRIDE 1,917,661

I ADJUSTABLE FRACTURE FRAME Filed Sept. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 SLY Patented July 11, 1933 PATENT: OFFICE nAnL'n. MCBRIDE, or OKLAHOMA crrY, OKLAHOMA ADJUSTABLE FRACTURE FRAME Application filed September 22, 1930 Serial No. (83,580.

My invention relates to frames for supporting the human body'during the period in which fractured bones are healing.

In treating a fractured hip, it is necessary that the fractured member be-rigidly supported for a considerable period of time in order that it may heal properly. It has been found impractical in many instances to place the patient in splints or a cast due to the nature of the fracture and due to the fact that the patient must be moved frequently for sanitary reasons. When splints or a cast is used, the fractured member is often displaced in moving the patient. 7

The objects of my invention are to provide a device of this class which is new, novel,

practical and of utility; which will complete ly support the patient in a comfortable position; which will support the injured member rigidly in a position of internal rotation, extension, and abduction which will be adjustableto fit any sized person; which will be adjustable for the treatment of varlous types of fracture; which will permit the patient to be raised and lowered bodily without effort or movement on his part; which will entirely eliminate the use of spllnts, casts and the like in thetreatment of hip, pelvis and leg fractures; which will be simple in operation; which will be strong and durable; and which will be efficient in accomplishing all the purposes for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully appear, my invention consists in the construction, novel features, and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claims hereto appended, and illustrated in the accompanying four sheet drawing, of which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the frame of the device, with the body supporting member removed; I V

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the knee and leg supporting brackets attached upon a fragment of one of the frame members;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectlonalview taken along the line 1- of Fig. 3; c

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the body supporting member, showing the manner in which it is attached to the frame;

of the advantages thereof; and it is also understood that the drawings are to be interpreted as being illustrative and not restrictive.

One practical embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings comprises:

A frame consisting mainly of two angle iron sections 1 and 2. Section 1 has two parallel sides 0 and fan d one end of each of said sides are attached integrally or rigidly to an upstanding angle iron member Said members are indicated as 5 and 6 respectively. Section'two consists of two parallel sides 7 and 8, two ends 9 and 10, and two parallel downstanding legs 11 and 12 which are attached rigidly at their upperends to corresponding ends of said sides 7 and 8. Said legs 11 and 12 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to slidably embrace the exterior sides of said upstanding members 5 and 6, andsaid members 5 and 6 and said legs 11 and 12 are each provided with corresponding el ngated through perforations, or slots 13. Said; slots 13 receive bolts let, the tigliteningfof which acts'as a means for holding said sections 1 Y and 2 in desired vertical relation to each other. It may be seen that said slots 13 permit the varianceof the vertical distance between said sides 3 and a of section 1 and said end 9 of said section 2. I

As a means of supporting the torso at various degrees of inclination, I provide as follows i Resting slidablywithin the angle of each ofsaidsides 8 and at is provided a pair of parallel angle ironshoes 15 andl6 which have their outer ends extending outwardly past the free ends of said sides 3 and 4:. The protruding ends of said shoes 15 and 16 are rigid- 1y connected a cross-member 17. Said sides 3' and i and said shoes 15 and 16 are provided correspondingly with slots 18 and said slots 18 are provided with clamp bolts l JU P shoes 15 and 16 is provided a substantially.

-' described herei nbelow.

19. Said bolts 19 act as a means of adjustably positioning said shoes and 1G w1th respect to said sides 3 and 4. Pivotally conplurality of straps 46 and centrally of its nether surface is providedwith like plurality-of buckles 47. One side edge of said nected as shown at to the inner ends of said portion 44 is equipped with a plurality of plain straps 48 and its opposite side edge is provided with a like plurality of straps 49,

;-each ofsaid-straps 49 hearing a buckle Said sides are Said lower portion 45 at one side edge is equippedwith aplurality of plain straps 51,

and at its 0 oosite side cd 'e with a like 31H- ':rality otstraps-52, each of-saidstraps supporting a buckle 53.

In installing said support28, upon said frame 21, straps 46 are turnedback over said end-24 andtightened into-said buckles 47.

Said straps-48 are bent oversaid side 22 oi.

' portion of a body support '28 best seen in- Figs; 5' and 6"and 'which-will be more fully 'The ends of said shoes 15 and 'ldwhich lie -nearest said end 17 are-each provided with an eye 29 ;-and the ends of said sides 7 am. 8 oi said section 2 which lie nearestsaid end 10 are "each provided with similar eyes 30. Said like, and consists of an upperba'ck portion eyes-29 and- 30 are adapted to receive cables frame: 21 and straps 49 are bent over side 23 of frame 21, and straps 48 are'thcn tight- I ened into said buckles '50. Straps 51 and 52 are likewiseattached together by buckles In thismanner1t may besecn that said back =portions 44 2111(l45'111LY l3f3 h'eld taut at any 31 for supporting the entire device. Cables 31 in turn may besupportedbyany desired structure or frame,"n'ot shown, but will'preferably be' threaded through pulleys and at- -=tached to-a winch so that the'entire device- 7 and the patient may be raised or lowered at will.

The upper ends of saidupst-anding sir-:2.

'bers 5 and 6 are each flanged as sl own 'atb- I and each-flange is providedwith a perforation33. Avertical rod 3' has-its upper end inserted in each of-said perforations'33 and eX- tends downwardly to the respective sides 3 or 40f said sectionl. Said rods 34 are rigidly positioned upon said flanges 32 and said-sides 3 or4as the case maybe by brazing,-welding or the like. Said rods34 are each-provided with slidableset-collar- 35 each of which are adapted to be held'in a desired position upon said rods 34 by a setscrewSG. Each collar 35- is more fully described hereinbelow.

As may best be seen 1n Fig. 3,' ahorizontal rod 38 18 provided rigidly between said legs l 11- and 12' ofsection 2 and 'withinthe an 'le ofsaid end 9 of-said section 2. Said mass is equipped with a pair of slidable'set collars 39 and 40 each' having an eye 41 thereon. =Said collars 39 and 40 are adapted to-be held in a desired position upon said rod 38 by'set screws 42. -A-pair ofslid able strap iron hooks desired degree.

It maybe seen Ethat an inishad in each iSldO' edge otsaul denture --support 28 inorder to permitthe free action ofthe brace-forsaid frame 21.

:At a point directlybelow said port1on'45,

saidsupport- 28 has a narrow. portion as 'slunvn-at-55,- and directly below said narrow portionis provided oppositely extendin wide strap portions 56 and 57, each of which at its extreme outer eudis attached to straps 58' and 59, respectively. Said portion-55 is adapted to support'the pelvis which "the hips, 'a-nd said portions 56 and are adaptedto be placed around tl'IQPGl V'lS ofthe patientjust -below'thehips. This-is best illustrated inrFig, 5. "St-raps' 58 and '59 are I Directly bcneath'said'strap portions 50 and 57, said support 28 is provided with two longitudinally extending parallel portions (30 and 61, each ofwhich-at its lower end-is proprovidcd with an eye 37 the ofiice of which is vided' with a transverse loop through which 43 are provided eXteriorly and transversely ofsaid end 9 of said section 2. *Each of said hooks are provided-with awperforation 'in their downwardly protruding ends.

Said body support 28' is constructed of some fibrous material suchas canvas or Ithe 44 and a lower bflCkpOItlOIl' 45. Said porber 62. 'Said members 62 are each respective- ,l )rovided at-their outerends with a stra V l 63 and 64. Said portions 0 and. (il are adapted to extend .along'the back of the patients thighs and said members 62 are adapted to be folded over and around each of the thighs atathegroin, As may best be seen in Fig. 7 saidmembers 62 each consist of a pliable metal core 101, covered by a fibrous outer cover 102. Said corelOl is'pro'vided' for pr venting said members 62 from twisting and folding when in use. "One '01" the outer ends of said strap 63 is then attached into said eye 41 of said set collar 40 andthe other on d is provided with a snap ho'okGfi which is hooked into the perforation'in said strap iron hook 43 on said end 9-of said section 2 of'the tion' 44 at its upper end'is 'providedw'ith a device. In a 'li'kefinanner 'one'endo't said strap (i l is attached to the eye ll of said set collar 39 and the other end in turn is pro- I strap iron hooks 43 on said end 9 of said section 2.

t may be seen that by vertically adjusting said set collars 35, by adjusting the position of said strap iron hooks 43 with reference to said end 9 of said section 2,. by adjusting said set collars 89 and s'lO with respect to said rod 38, and by tightening or loosening said straps 58, 59, 63 and G l, the patients hips may be held m a desired position without the use of splints, casts, and the like.

In the description thus far, the means for supporting the body and upper legs of the patient have been disclosed. I will now de scribe the organization by which the lower legs are supported and by which the spread of the legs may be adjust-ably controlled.

Slidably disposed transversely upon said end 9 of said section 2', and between said strap iron hooks/l3, I provide a second pair of strap iron hooks 67 and 6S. Said hooks GT and 68 each respectively embrace pivotally one end of arms 69 and 70. Said arms 69 and 70 extend horizontally at an angle across tion oi? said arm 69 is provided slidably an extension member 71 having an integral downstanding leg portion 72 which in turn provided with a. flange F3 on its extreme lower end. Said portion 71 is held in slidable engagement with said arm (39 by hooks or guides 7eand 75, and is adapted to be held rigidly in desired longitudinal relation with I spect to said arm 69 by a set screw 76.. A vertical rod '1'? is rigidly positioned by welding or the like between the horizontal portion of said eXtension 71 and said flange 73. Said. rod 7? is equipped with a slidable set collar 78 adapted to be held at a desired point on said rod 77 by a set screw 79. '58 is provided with an eye 80. A screw clamp 8] is provided on said side 7 of said section 2, and oversaid arm 69, and acts [tor holding said arm 69 at a desired 1 with inspect to said. side/7. Said arm T likewise provided with an extension 82. downstanding leg 83, liange 8i,

rod 85, set collar 86 and clamp 8'7, similar in' torn) to said extension 71, leg 72, flange 73, red 77. set collar 78 and clamp 81 on said arm 69.

Slidably disposed upon the midportion of said arm is a vertical standard 88, best seen in Fig. 2. A clamp 89 embraces the upper-portion of said standard 88, and also slidably embraces a horizontal arm 90 having a strap iron hook 91 thereon. Said clamp 89 maybe held at a desired vertical position by the tightening of a set screw 92. Said Said set collar arm 69 is also provided with astandard 88,

clamp 89 and arm 90 similar to those provided on said arm 70. It will be understood, however, that the arms 90 both extend toward the center of section 2 and toward each other. Said hooks 91 and their supporting mechanism are provided for the purpose of receiving a strap or the like, not shown, for supporting the patients knees. Said standards 88 may be slid along said arms 69 and 70 so as to ht various sized patients, and said arms 90 may be slid to a. desired position within clamps 89 so as to hold the knees in a desired spaced relation. Saidclamps 89 also make it possible to hold the patients knees at a desired height. Said set collars 78' and 86 are provided for the purpose of receiving straps, not shown, for supporting the patients lower legs at the ankles. The height at which the lower legs are held maybe adjustedby varying the vertical-position of said collars 7S and 86 respectively upon said vertical rods 77 and 85. It may also be seen that by varying the longitudinal relation of said extensions 71 and 82 respectively with respect to said arms 69 and 70, that the length otthe patients legs may be acconunodated.

For cases in which it is found desirable to retain the patients lower legs at a point below the lowerends of said legs 72 and 83,

each of said legs are provided with a slidable extension 99having a flange 100, similar in ollice to-said flanges 73 and 84 on said 72 and 83. I

As a means of supporting the outer ends of said arms 69 and 70. said end 10 of section is provided with two extension members 93 and 94 which. rests upon the top of said end 10 and are held in slidable engagement therewith by laterally extending lugs 95, 96, 97 and 98 which are bent around the edges of said end 10.

As the purpose and function of each portion of the device has been described herein as the structure was described, it is not believed necessary'to further describe the opcr ation of the device. It may be seen that means have been shown for adjustably supporting a patients torso, hips, upper legs, knees, and lower legs. Also that a means for positioning the legs with respect to each other has been provided, and that the patient may be raised or lowered at will without effort on his part, and without otherwise movis claimed and desired to be secured Letters Patent, is:

1. A device elfthe class described, embodying a substantially rectangular frame comprising a first and second section, said sections lying on two different horizontal planes with one end' of the first section be low and in a verticalplanewith the opposite end ofthe second section,-said ends having vertical connection at each of their sides, means for adjusting the vertical distance-be tween said connected ends, said first section bearing a longitudinally a iljustable body supporting frame adapted for disposition at various angles of inclination, means carried by said E ond section "for suppora a patients hips and upper legs adjustably as to height, tortion, and spread, means carried by said second section for supporting 3 the patients knees adjustably as to height and spread, and means 211s) carried by said "md s '.-=f*tion for sun the patients lower legsadjustabiy as to height and spipad.

'2. A device, of the class described, em-

bodying a substantially rectangular metal frame comprising a first and second section, said sections lying on two diihmnt horizontal planes with one end of the first section below and in a. vertical plane with the oppo- 7 site end of the second section, said ends having vertical connection at each of their sides, means for adjusting the vertical distance between said connected ends, said first section bearing a longitudinally adjustable body supporting frame adapted for disposition at various angles of inclination, said frame bearing a fibrous sheet having suitable straps on its edges for attaching it thereto, means carried by said second. section for supporting a patients hips and upper legs adjustably as to height, tortion, and spread, means carried by said second section for supporting the patients knees adjustably' a to height and spread, and means also carried by said second section for supporting the patients lower legs adjustably as to height and spread.

3. Organization as described in claim 2, in which. the means for adjusting the longitudinal position of said body support, comprises 7 sections, a set collar slidably mounted upon each rod, adail'ed to receive aps connected to said fibrous sheet, a horizontal rod carried between the ends of the sides of sald secondsection, a pair of slidable set collars carried by saidhorizontal rod and adapted to attach other straps connected to said fibrous sheet, and a pair of hooks slidably mounted on a cross member between the ends of the sides of said second section and adapted to' attach to still other straps connected to 1 said fibrous sheet.

rganization as described in claim 2, in which said knee supporting means com prises a pair of horizontal arms pivoted at one end to a cross member between the ends of the SihOS of'said second section, their outer ends extending at an angle over the sides of said second section and. past its outer end, a clamp for positioning each of said arms upon said sides, a vertical standard slidably'mo'unted medially on each otsaid arms, a clamp slidably mounted on each of said standards, a horizontal. member siida'bly embraced in each of st ups, and a hook carried by each of said horizontal members, said hooks each adapted to attach a strap for supporting the patients knees.

of said wider portion for passing around the hips and loins off said body, two parallel, longitudinally extending strips, each for extending along the back of one upper leg, and a pair ofpadded straps each attached. transversely-to the end of one of saidstrips, said padded straps each for encircling the upper portion of one leg and holding said body against longitudinal movement with respect to said frame.

7. Organization as described in claim 2 in which said sheet comprises a substantially rectangular portion adapted for suspensioii by said straps within said frame, said sheet having a narrow portion for supporting the lower back of said body above the hips, a wider portion for supporting the hips, straps connected to the opposite edges of said wider portion for passin around the hips and loius of said body, two parallel, longitudinally extending strips, each for extending along the back of one upper leg, and a'pair of padded straps each attached transversely to the end of one of said strips, said padded straps each for encircling the upperporti'on of one leg and holding said body against longitudinal 'movement with respect to said frame.

EARL D. Mo BRIDE. 

